DISCARDED: The Ones The World Did Not Need

Fifteen

The water in the enchanted spring contains a very large amount of magic which is why it reacts when a person is dipped in.
Ordinary water has just a minute trace of magic which is why it doesn't normally react but turned black when Enid measured her magic affinity and capacity.

A month has passed since, and Rachael was finally ready to leave.

She had some books Mrs Ingram gave her, some of her papers and the money she had managed to save.

The sun had not risen and the floor was covered in the snow that fell the previous night.

Enid hovered around the front door of the shop, her head bowed while Avery and Rachael talked to  the carriage man that was to take Rachael to the castle.

"Enid, what are you doing over there? Aren't you going to say goodbye to Rachael before she leaves?"

"Goodbyes are unnecessary." Enid murmured, drawing on the snow with her bare feet.

Avery turned to Rachael knowingly and patted her back.

"You better go talk to her."

Rachael nodded and walked up to Enid.

"So...it's the big day. It feels odd; like this isn't really happening."
Enid sniffed, then sneezed. She wasn't dressed for the weather.

"I'm confused. On one hand I'm excited and I can't wait to see what lies ahead for me and on the other hand, I'm sad and terrified  like this entire thing is wrong. I bet you're feeling really confused huh?"

"No I'm not. The only emotion I feel right now is pretty clear to me."

"Oh, and what's that?"

Enid sniffed again and looked up to Rachael. Her eyes were blood red as tears slipped down her face.

"Please...don't go."

Rachael smiled knowingly.

"This is what happens when you try to act like an adult."

Enid lurched at her wailing.
"Please! Please, don't go! Don't leave me!"

Avery turned to them surprised by Enid's sudden outburst. She had never seen her cry before.

Rachael held onto her and closed her eyes tightly, trying to pry the guilt that was tearing her apart.

"Enid...I don't want to go either," she picked her up and went back into the shop. She sat on a chair besides the door and pat her back until she calmed down.

"But you have to...don't you?"

Rachael took a deep breath and looked down at Enid who buried her head on her laps.

"I don't have to but I want to. Look at me Enid," Rachael raised Enid's chin up and looked into her eyes.

"I want to go and see if my life can come to anything else than what it is right now. I know it's selfish but I can't help but be excited,"

Fresh tears threatened to spill from Enid's eyes.

"But don't ever think that I've stopped being your parent. You might think that I saved you from the spring that day but you were the one that saved me. Before I found you, everyday was just a bland continuous loop, but you gave me purpose. I'm going now but I'll write to you every single week without fail and if you don't take the IMD exams in 5 tears then I'll come get you myself. Okay?"

Enid managed a nod and hugged Rachael tightly.

"Bye Rachael," her hands shook as she latched on and closed her eyes still hoping it was just a dream.